August C-section or Sept C-section

[mummypercy]

I am having twins and things are going pretty well at the moment, 29 weeks today horrah.
However I have been booked in for an elective C- Section on the 2nd Sept. The dilemma is to whether to shift it to a few days early so that the twins start school a year earlier. My partner is looking at it from a purely financial viewpoint. But the twins would literally have turned 4 before starting school proper and I would like them to have some childhood before having to be tested and examed for the next X number of years. What are other mother mothers thoughts on this.

[mrsflowerpot]

purely personally, I would go with September babies! DH is a late august baby, and he hated always being the youngest in his year.I'm with you, only just turned 4 is very little to start school, although I know plenty of kids do with no bad side effects.

Also, they would get nearly 2 years of free part time pre-school education (it starts the term after the 3rd birthday)so they wouldn't be missing out on any sort of stimulation I don't think.

[foxinsocks]

I'm mother to an August baby and my dd has July twins in her class. If I had the choice, I would definitely wait until September. I think they are much 'readier' for school when they are slightly older. You can see a big difference between those born at the beginning of the year and those at the end.

I wouldn't worry too much though, just in case it happens early!

[Janh]

I would go for September too, mummypercy. Academically it doesn't necessarily make a difference, but in terms of confidence and social maturity it generally does. (But agree with foxinsocks, if it does happen earlier, don't worry about it - que sera sera!)

[twiglett]

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[jampot]

I can understand your point - I (and my twin sister) were born on 27th August and obviously were always the youngest in our year (although I was always top). Our mum always felt we could have done with an extra year at home though. Good points: Always have your birthday at home
If not academic, can always blame the fact that you are a year younger than everyone else (!)

Bad points: you are the youngest and therefore everyone treats you like a baby
Your friends forget your birthday party

I'd go with September - an extra few days in the womb can make all the difference (and a few days extra peace)

[SoupDragon]

I'd go with September seeing as you have a choice.

[tinyganghq]

My twins were born in September, which was fine by me from the starting at school perspective. I always think late Summer babies dip out on how much time they spend with Mum before having to start school, although the younger ones I see in dd's reception class seem to cope pretty well I must admit. Mind you, I'm inclined to think we send children to school a bit early in this country anyway, but that's just my humble opinion.

I had been told that twins can often arrive early and that an August birth was quite a possibility so I tried to 'keep my legs crossed' iykwim! I shouldn't worry too much though if they put in an early appearance - they'll be just fine, I'm sure. Congratulations btw, you must be very excited.